Scaffold structure



June 5, 1951 R. G. BRowNsTElN 2,555,732

soAFFoLD STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 5, 1951 R. s. BRowNs-rElN 2,555,782

scAFFoLD STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1947 4 sheets-sheet 2 .up om .v0 D -tjL @D on D) oo oo oo oo on oo oo oo moo o .M GG 104 20.6.* GG G0 A June 5, 1951 R. G. BROWNSTEIN 2,555,782

SCAFFOLD STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1947 4 Sheets-sheet s Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to structural units and more particularly to structural unitsadapted to be assembled into knockdown skeleton structures for use as scafiolds or the like. l

Knockdown scaffolding structures for painting and various other trades in the building eld have been complicated to erect, and to properly obtain rigidity and the proper height levels in these prior types, many forms of clamps and couv pling members which must be carefully secured in their proper places are required. Such prior structures with these many eXtra clamps and couplings require expert workmen to erectthem and are not readily knocked down and connable into small storage space for transportationto" and from each new job. Accordingly, anobject of my invention is to provide novel structural units which have all connecting and coupling means formed as an integral part thereohso that no loose parts such as clamps and bolts are required to completely assemble the structure.

Another object is to construct uprights or posts in sectional units with extended end coupling means secured in an end of each postte provide a novel end to end' stacking system.

A further object is to provide a post for saffolds and form each upright post with four sides each having self contained coupling means longitudinally spaced apart thereon in vertically aligned pairs on each side at diierent levels" throughout the length of each side or each post, whereby the scaffold may be built in four directions by coupling horizontal units to each side, if necessary, at different levels for work platforms at different levels.

A further object is to provide novel struc` tural units with cooperating coupling locks for use oncross bars between the upright members of a structure for use as a scaffold or the like, whereby said coupling locks may be quickly cou'- pled and uncoupled to the coupling means on the upright members.

A further object is to provide rigidity between all coupled together parts by forming each structural unit and coupling member withoppos'edfragt surfaces and thus eliminate the need for cross braces such as are usually required in scaffold structures to' provide rigidity between upright and vertical connections and scaloldflooring.

And still another object is to providei'or econ-- omy, durability and simplicity in the manufacture of each structural unit by forming the same from standard ,angle irons with the usual presses', punches, shears and by simple welding.`

These" and other objects and features of the Fig. 2 is a transverse cross section taken onV the line 2-2 of Figure 1. y Fig. 3 is an elevational `viewbroken in parts', illustrating the novel upright or post structures and their novel stacking angle iron ends and spaced coupling means. p

Fig. 4. is a view of the top of one of the up-V rights or posts giving a perspective view of one of the novel stacking angle iron endsV secured therein. p

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the abutting lower end and upper end of two end to .end stacked posts to illustrate the coupling arrangement.

Fig.. 6 is a perspective view of the end of the-` posts opposite to the novel stackinganglev extension, which end is formed to Vcouple with the stacking extension of another post.

Fig. 7 is a cross section view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a cross section view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 3.

, Fig. 9 is a partial longitudinal cross section view taken on line 9-91 of Fig. 5 showing a novel lock pin insert in aligned openings for the`pur.

pose in the walls of the post andl the stacking angle.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the novel lock pin per se.

Fig. 11 isa front elevation view of the novel automatic latch means carried by the ends of, the cross bars adapted to couple tothe coupling' means on the four sides ofthe post or upright units. y Y Fig. 12 is a top end view ofv the aut'olrniatic` latch means' for the crossbars,` showing a sec` tional portion of one side of one of the posts and a portion in elevation of one of the cross bars which carries'thelatch means. m

Fig. 13 is a side elevation view ofthe automatic latch means showing its connection toene of the posts, whichv post is partly in longitudinal section. p l Fig. 14 is a side elevation viewof' oneof vthe cross bars with the novel latch means' on'eacli end. n l, l.

Fig: 15 is a side elevation Viewv of one type 3 of side extension bracket such as is shown applied to the coupling means extending from the sides of the uprights or post units.

Figure 16 is an elevational View of the attaching end of the scaiold plank supporting bracket as illustrated in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a perspective view'of one of the vertical post base supports or footings per se.

Referring to the drawings and first with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown an erected scaffold comprised primarily of a plurality of vertically stacked uprights or posts A, a plurality of supporting bases or footings B for each of the stacked posts, a plurality of cross bars C connected between each of the stacked sets of the posts A, and a board ilooring D longitudinally resting on the at tops of the cross bars.

Each of these principal parts are novelly formed; for example, Figures 3 through 8 show the details of the novel posts A. These posts are comprised of a pair of like angle irons 26 and 2i, see Figure 3, welded together so as to form a hollow four-sided post. Each of the four sides of each post are provided with aligned sets of vertically spaced coupling means, such as rivets 24. These rivets are grouped in vertically aligned pairs, so as to cooperate with a novel latching means carried on a bracket 26 mounted in the end of bars C, such as is shown in Figures 11 through 14 hereinafter to be described. g An important feature of this invention resides in the novel stacking means for vertically building up long lengths of the posts A in rigid lengths according to the demand for height of the scaffold for each particular job. These stacking means comprise short stubs of angle irons 35 welded at one end within one of the ends of each hollow post A, so as to extend a short distance beyond the end thereof, see Figures 3, 4 and 7 for example. These post stacking extensions 30 as shown are provided with two sides 3| and 32, so shaped, so proportioned and formed with openings 34 and 35 and end U-slots 36 and 3'! as to interlockingly fit within one end 45 of one of the posts A and rigidly couple therewith over a pair of interiorly projecting coupling members or rivets 38 and 39, see Figure 6. On each side of the stacking extension 30 just above the end edge 4l of each post A are coupling rivets 44 and 45, which cooperate with U-slots 46 formed in the end edge 40 of a post A. The end i6 of each post A also is formed with elongated openings l! like the openings 34 and 35 in the stacking extension 39, whereby when the end 46 is telescoped down over the extension 3l] these openings become aligned to receive a novel lock pin 5l, shown in Figures 9 and 10.

This pin 5| is formed of round stock with an angular offset surface or shoulder 52 from an elongated shank 53, and the shoulder then has a relatively shorter head portion 54 than the shank which extends upwardly in a plane vertically from that of the shoulder 52.

Thus the head 54 may be inserted into the aligned openings 34, 50 and 35, 56, for example, and the pin 5| is then turned so that the head portion 54 locks behind an interior side of the stack extension 36, the shoulder 52 spans the thickness of one side of the extension 30 and of the post A, while the shank 53, extends along an exterior side Wall of the post A to complete the locking effect.

Thus assuming the uprights or posts are to be stacked to start assembly of a scaffold strucdened by the other leg of the slot 63.

ture, the base plates B are set flat on a surface, such as the oor or ground and the end 6 of a post A to be on the bottom of a stack is telescoped down over an extension 55 welded centrally to the base. This extension is identical to one of the stacking extensions 30 already described. After coupling a first post A to the stacking extension 55 of the base B then a second post A is telescopically placed over the stacking extension 30 of the rst base supported post and so on until a desired height is reached. This of course is done to form each stacked set of posts as shown in Figure l, and during stacking the crossbars C are coupled to the sides of the posts A by means of the novel latch brackets 26, which t on over the rivets 24.

The crossv bars C are preferably made from standard angle iron stock or other suitable shape and have their ends Welded to the automatic latch brackets 26. These brackets are likewise formed from a short piece of angle iron with legs 6U and 6I.

The flat surface of legV 6I is cut from the bottom edge thereof into a U-slot 62 to slide on around the shank of one of the lower rivets 24 of one of each of the aligned pairs mounted along the sides of the posts A, and it is cut at the top to form an L-shaped slot 63, see Fig. 11, with a aring entrance opening 64 from the longitudinal edge of leg 6| inward to the vertical or upright portion 65. Pivoted to the lower corner of opening 64 on a pivot pin 66 is a pivoted latch 61 With an operating lug 68. This latch extends into the ared entrance opening 54 and at this point of extension is sloped outwardly at 69 so as to automatically swing on its pivot 66 when engaged against the shank of one of the rivets 24. Thus to apply the bars C with the automatic latches to the posts A, the slot 62 is slid down over the lower rivet 24 with the bracket 26 slightly tilted to line up the flared opening 64 with the upper rivet 24, and then the same is tilted toward a vertical position, until the shank of the upper rivet 24 passes by the latch 61 into alignment with the channel 65 A slight downward push on the bar C will then firmly and rigidly7 secure the bracket 26 over the two vertically aligned rivets 24, when the latch 6l Will swing on its pivot 66 to block off the opensing 64 by the gravitational effect of its lower counter-weighted end, the weight element, as is best shown in Figures 11 and 13, being con stituted in a laterally extending flange 68.

Obviously this same automatic latch structure may be applied to the side brackets 70, shown in Fig. 1, and to the hoist bracket l2, also shown in this gure.

A detail in side elevation of one form of side support brackets such as 10 is shown in Figures 15 and 16. In this bracket there is shown an upper arm 10a connected to the outer end of an angle brace structure 14 and between the brace 'I4 and arm 10a. is a vertical brace 15. At the inner end of arm 10a is xed a bracket 26 having a bottom edge recess 16 to fit over the shank of one of the rivets 24 after which the latch 61 is engaged over the shank of the next upper rivet 24 as just described in connection with the cross bar C in Figure 11.

Thus I have provided novel structural units made from standard stock for building skeleton frame structures for use primarily as scaffolding,

which units include coupling means formed integrally therewith. so as eliminate all need for extra clamps, bolts and other coupling and fastener elements. Also, each coupling arrangement of each structural unit is formed'with flat contacting surfaces to provide rigidity at each coupling point. Likewise the units are arranged so that the structure can be built in four directions from the novel upright post units and thus any size area may be covered by the assembled scaffolding structures.

While the invention has been specifically described for only one embodiment, there may be other embodiments developed which would come within the scope of this invention. Also, there are many uses for such structures other than for scaffolding, for example the assembled structure can be enclosed by side sheeting to form temporary shelters and the like. For a deinition of the scope of the invention, reference should be had to the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A knockdown scaffolding comprising a plurality of structural units, some of said units being upright post units and others being cross bar units, each post unit comprising a pair of angle irons welded together to form a hollow four-sided tube, headed coupling means carried by each post, a single angle iron secured in the top of one end of the post and extending therefrom to provide for stacking said posts upright end to end to develop desired heights of scaffolding, by the insertion of said single angle iron into the end of another similar post unit, a base for the bottom post unit in each stack, and coupling brackets mounted on each end of each cross bar, said brackets having flat portions formed with a bayonet slotl with a pivoted latch therein adapted to lock with one of said coupling means on one of the post units, whereby the opposed flat surface of a post unit and the flat portion of the bracket form rigid connection to assure a rigid scaffolding structure.

2. A cross bar structural unit for a knockdown scaffold structure including upright posts each carrying a pair of vertically spaced coupling members, said unit comprising an angle iron, a bracket secured to each end of the angle iron formed from a short section of angle iron, one surface of the angle 'iron being formed with a bayonet slot opening from the side edge thereof, the opening being flared at the side edge, a latch pivoted to the surface of the iron and projecting into the flared part of the opening, and a U- shaped slot formed in the lower edge of said surface adapted to seat over one of a pair of said vertically spaced coupling members While said latch engages with the other coupling member of the pair.

3. In a knockdown scaffold structure, a tubular vertical structural element square in cross-section in combination with a supporting base therefor, said base comprising a flat plate of a substantial area, a standard rising from the center of said plate and adapted to be telescoped inward of the lower end of said vertical element, said standard having the form of a relatively short length of L-angle iron and having a slot opening through the top edge of each of its side flanges, a headed element projecting from the outer side of each of said side flanges adjacent the lower end thereof, said vertical element having a slot opening through the lower edges of each of its sides and adapted to engage with the shank of one of said headed elements, and a like headed element projecting from the inner surface of each of the sides of said vertical element and adapted to seat in one of the slots in the upper end of said standard. when the `vertical element is set in place.

4. The invention as dened in claim 3, with a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced headed elements spaced equidistantly apart along the length of each of the sides of said Vertical element, horizontal structural elements, a bracket at each end of each of said horizontal elements, said bracket having the form of a relatively short length of L-angle iron with one of its side anges rigidly and dependingly secured to the end of a horizontal element and the other of its side flanges formed with an L-shaped slot opening through the free edge thereoffor engagement on the shank of the "upper of a'selected pair of said headed elements, said other side flange having a slot opening through its lower end 'edge for engagement with the other of said headed elements.

5. The invention as dened in claim 3, with the said vertical structural element made in separable sections, means for coupling said sections in end to end relation, said means comprising a relatively short length of L-angle iron having a horizontally elongated slot formed intermediate the ends of each of its side flanges, said slots being adapted for registry with like slots formed in the sides of the lower end portion of each of said separable sections, an oppositely angled element adapted to be engaged through the registered pairs of slots to removably secure said coupling means to a separable section, said coupling means also having a slot opening through the upper end edge of each `of its side flanges, a headed element projecting from the inner surface of each of two adjacent sides of the separable section and adapted to seat in the last named slots, and another headed element projecting from the outer surface of each of the side flanges below the rst named slots, said separable section having a slot opening through the lower end edge of each of two adjacent sides thereof, the last named slots being adapted to seat on the last named headed elements, the lower end of said separable section seating on the top end of the next lower separable section when the lower end of said coupling means is engaged in the top end of the latter separable section.

6. In a knockdown scaffold structure, a tubular vertical structural element square in crosssection, a horizontal structural element of L-angle iron, pairs of spaced headed elements spaced apart along the length of the sides of said vertical element, a bracket at each end of said horizontal element, said bracket having the form of a relatively short length of L-angle iron with one of its side flanges welded to an end of said horizontal element, the other of said side flanges being formed with a substantially L-shaped slot with the lower horizontal leg thereof opening through the free side edge of the flange, said slot being adapted for engagement with the upper of a selected pair of said headed elements with the upper end of the inner vertical leg thereof seated on the shank of the engaged headed element, and a, counterweighted latch element pivoted on said other side flange to close the lower horizontal leg of said slot following the passage of the headed element inward of the latter leg, said other side flange also having a slot opening through its lower end edge for engagement with the other of said headed element.

7. The invention as deiined in claim 6, with the upper side of the horizontal leg of said L-shaped slot upwardly and outwardly flared to facilitate the engagement of the same with the said upper headed element and said latch element is pivoted intermediate its ends on the inner side of the said other side flange below said horizontal leg and has its upper end oppositely angled and projecting into the latter, and a counter-weight on its lower end.

RAYMOND G. BROWNSTEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Lytle Aug, 14, 1860 Number 1,031,216 V1,677,362 1,789,765 lo 1,918,116 2,113,196 2,294,240 2,303,428

15 Number g Name Date MacLaurin May 6, 1890 Lovejoy Oct. 20, 1891 Massau- Feb. 19, 1895 Grundmann Apr. 13, 1909 Gilliland July 12, 1910 Warner July 2, 1912 Oberdorfer July 17, 1928 McKinney Jan. 20, 1931 Mansfield July 11, 1933 Jones Apr. 5, 1938 Pollman Aug. 25, 1942 Black Dec. 1, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Feb. 20, 1911 

